Correctly structured lighting system in educational settings enables learners to perceive information easily and to feel good, and to create a positive learning atmosphere.

Schools, which are the basic unit of education are influenced and change by developments in socio-economic, political and cultural systems. In today’s dynamic, globalizing knowledge-based society, the understanding of education has also changed. Schools have turned into social spaces that can expand and shrink when needed, allowing students to have different seating arrangements where students can interact with each other, instead of teacher-centered spaces where students have to face the blackboard.

Education emerges as a concept not only restricted to classrooms but embedded in all spaces and school life. The educational environments have evolved into places that encourage students to do research, explore, experiment, experience, debate, play, socialize through their architecture, form and wide range of activities.

Traditional lighting systems have been replaced by smart solutions that include flexibility and ergonomics to support this configuration. Advantages of LED technology have brought a new perspective on lighting in educational settings. LED systems, which can be integrated with smart control systems, enable energy-efficient and long-lasting environments to create competent educational environments in terms of comfort and performance. It is only possible for an individual to spend his/her learning process in quality educational environments by selecting the right luminaire and proper lighting planning.

CLASSES

The lighting, which is an important part of visual perception, plays an active role in the learning process. A well-lit environment facilitates good perception, processing and storage of information. It also allows students to keep their concentration for a long time while motivating students. In classrooms, flexible solutions are produced that allow for different arrangements for educational scenarios that can be implemented in the classroom rather than fixed and non-flexible desk layouts. In different scenarios, such as group work, lectures or project presentations, it is important that lighting solutions provide flexibility. Selection of the correct lighting luminaires and appropriate layout and systems that provide general lighting for each scenario can be established. Glare-free lighting systems that do not illuminate in an uncomfortable way and where all surfaces are uniformly illuminated are ideal for classroom lighting. It is also suggested to illuminate the writing board with different luminaires which can be dimmed and turned off if necessary, unlike general lighting systems.

LABORATORY AND CLASSROOMS

It is possible to reinforce the continuous and positive contribution of knowledge and skills gained through observation and experience to the learning process with correct lighting techniques. It is known that rightly constructed lighting systems increase creativity and productivity while increasing learning capacity. In physics, chemistry and biology laboratories, environments should be created in which sufficient lightness is provided, details are clearly perceived, and there are no sharp hard shadows. The use of luminaires with a high color rendering index is recommended, as it is important that the colors be well perceived. In addition, the configuring classrooms together with different lighting scenarios for presentations, experiments, and classroom situations creates functional opportunity to use. The use of non-glare lighting luminaires in musical and art workshops is recommended in these areas. Especially in areas where visual arts such as pictures are applied, lighting systems with high color rendering index and providing homogeneous lighting should be preferred. In computer and media classrooms, indirect lighting systems that do not create glare on the screen are preferred. Choosing the right luminaire and light source will reduce the discomfort of changing the point of view between the eye and the screen, and help users to work in visual comfort conditions.

CORRIDOR & CIRCULATION AREAS

A well-planned lighting in the corridors linking basic functions helps users to feel good and safe while supporting the transit due to the function of the space and guiding the users. Lighting in corridor and circulation areas that connect floors to each other from the entrance is of importance to provide direction and security. Inadequate lighting in the corridors creates tunnel effect and dark corners, which makes the users feel bad. Well-lit walls and the ceiling speed up the passage, making the space look wider than it normally is.

Foyers and corridors not only provide pass-through, but also serve as social spaces where the students come together, the student activities are exhibited, and the educational boards are placed. Rayspots, hidden lighting applications, asymmetrical light products can be used to illuminate wall surfaces. The use of presence and daylight sensors is important to save energy in these non-frequently used areas.

In staircases, it is ideal to choose a lighting system that does not create sharp, hard shadows and does not create glare for safety.

CAFETERIAS AND CANTEENS

The cafeteria and canteen areas serve as resting and socializing areas where students spend their leisure time between classes as well as eating and drinking activities. Accurately illuminated environments in the recreation areas create a positive effect that enhances communication, enabling users to feel comfortable and happy. The positive atmosphere that is normally set in these areas, which are normally used for short periods of time, helps students to accumulate energy in a short time for the class to start soon or for an exam they will take. At the same time, in cafeterias and canteens, where people are socialized, it is important that the face expressions and mimics of the persons are perceivable correctly. Exposure of food and drink stands with high rail spots or stalactites with high color-rendering index has an appetizing effect.

As it allows flexible table layouts, surface-mounted or under-floor lighting luminaires can be used in cafeteria areas where general lighting solutions are preferred. Based on the interior design, stalactite products that provide regional illumination on the table or surface-mounted products that can be mounted on the wall can be used. It is ideal to create different ambiances with multi-layered lighting design in the same environment and to create rich and curious atmosphere.

SEMINAR HALL and AUDITORIUMS

They are multi-functional areas used for different activities such as theater displays, award ceremonies, talks and celebrations in schools, seminar halls and auditoriums. It is preferred that lighting is controllable and flexible based on the nature of the activity. Due to its multifunctional structure, auditoriums need that lighting be flexible and easily modified. The fact that the lighting can be controlled locally allows the scenarios needed for different activities to be created easily. It is ideal that the general enlightenment should be planned in such a way as to strengthen the communication and make the users feel good. The lighting system to be set on the stage should ensure that speakers and actors can clearly see the texts, objects and audiences, and should not create unwanted glare and reflections. In dark room activities such as theater and film screenings, lighting automation becomes important.

Safety lighting also plays an important role as part of lighting design. Corridors, steps, exit points must be clearly recognizable and users should be able to move safely when the room is dark. In any emergency, lighting should ensure that the room can be evacuated quickly and easily.

CLOSED SPORTS HALLS

Indoor sports halls are the large multi-purpose spaces used for sports activities and events in schools. It is important that the lighting system is designed to suit the purpose of the hall and that homogeneously diffused light is provided. The Standards have divided the sports halls into four classes in order to determine appropriate lighting criteria. The sports halls which are classified according to the number of audience and players are examined in two main sections as “area” and “ground” sports for their lighting requirements. In indoor sports halls, it is an important design criterion to provide the correct level of light for the specified class and sporting activity, with luminaires providing homogenously diffused light and without creating irritating glare.

The stalactite, surface-mounted and flush-mounted products can be selected according to the ceiling structure. The selection of stalactite products is advantageous for high ceiling volumes. It is a requirement that luminaires to be used to provide visual comfort during the game do not create glare and that the impact resistance class is appropriate.It is preferred that the products to be used in indoor swimming pools have a high IP protection class and should be installed in areas that can be quickly and easily intervened.

REST ROOMS and CHANGING ROOMS

In wet spaces with frequent and short use, LED systems are advantageous due to their relatively low energy consumption, frequent switching on and off, reduced lifespan, and maintenance requirements such as lamp replacement.

It is recommended to use luminaires which are homogenous and do not cause annoying glare in wet areas and in changing rooms with reflective and shiny surfaces. In changing rooms, the use of high color rendering materials is essential for the correct detection of colors, so that vertical planes can be illuminated and objects in the cabinets can be seen.

In addition to general lighting, mirror-front lighting provides the desired visual comfort conditions. The ability of the person using the mirror to see him/herself comfortably and completely depends on the lighting layout around the mirror. Generally, it is proposed to make the mirror-front lighting with light sources with opal diffusers which are located vertically on both sides of the mirror and will not cause glare. There are also decorative applications where light sources are used vertically on the mirror or all around the mirror. It is possible to make lighting systems more energy-efficient and more effective with presence detectors. In rest rooms and wet areas that are intensively used for a short time, they prevent unnecessary energy consumption in the areas where no sensors are used.

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

They are used for outdoor environments, recreation and parking areas, playing and sports activities. It is an important design criterion that lighting makes vehicle entrance/exits, stairs and ramps visible and safe. It is recommended to use lighting luminaires that provide adequate illumination in the horizontal and vertical planes outside the school environment and that do not cause irritating glare. It is ideal for the lighting system to be designed does not create sharp-hard shadows. Inadequate lighting and long shadows should be avoided since they create risk of falling particularly in stairs.

It is expected that the luminaires should have impact and shock resistance to the external environment conditions and high IP protection class. High mast, column and bollard type luminaries can be used for general lighting. In addition, wall-mountable bracket lamps and floor-mounted luminaires provide direction by defining vertical planes. Under Canopy, products with a minimum IP40 degree of protection should be used. The products to be used generally are expected to highlight some structural elements in accordance with the corporate identity and to reveal the architect.